ursa

I have exercised 30 minutes for 7 days straight! I took my first step aerobics class in a long time yesterday. I haven't gone for over 2 years because I was too heavy. I lasted 30 minutes (using no risers). I'm so proud. Let's all keep up the good (hard) work!

I felt the same way for about 5 weeks after surgery. Although my doctor gave very explicit instruction on food intake-clear liquids to full liquids to soft solids beginning the 6th week. Always eating proteins first. Crackers and peanut butter are big no no's even now. After week 5 I began to get my appetite back and made bad food choices resulting in a weight gain of 4lbs. I had a fill last week and feel restriction now. I have had some clear body signals if I eat too much too fast. I feel great this week and have started exercising everyday which was a real kickstart to serious weight loss. Good luck to you!

I made some poor eating choices 2 weeks ago (about 5 weeks after surgery) and experienced some weight gain. When I went for my fill the doctor was very firm about sticking to the proper food to eat & way to eat them. Also about exercise. It was hard to hear because I was already hard on myself. The fill has really helped & I have had an excellent week of eating well & exercising every day! I did have my first "frothing" episode a few days ago eating cantalope of all things. I think I ate too fast & didn't chew enough. I won't being doing that again!

I just got my first fill yesterday-1cc in a 4cc band. I am on full liquids for the next 24 hours. So far I don't feel any different. I had a rough period last week making poor choices & eating too much. I gained 4lbs. I am determined to turn it around. Hopefully the band fill will help.

I had my first fill yesterday- 1cc in a 4cc band & back to full liquids for 24 hours. Last week I went thru a crazy period of bad eating & gained back 5lbs. I am now determined to get back on track & exercise at least 5 days a week-30 minutes. The doctor really set me straight. The gym is closed today so I will be walking! Thanks for the exercise forum.

I think I feel restriction. I am scheduled for my first fill on 7/2/08 but my appetite is minimal. I am more aware of the smells and look of food, and that makes me think I am hungry. I have been sticking very closely to what the doctor requests for my diet. I still feel fatigue and am not quite up to the exercise level I would like. I am cautious eating foods and my upper chest and throat feel tight often. I am most excited about my weight loss progress.

It's true aspartame and all artificial sweetners are some bad stuff and can have many side effects in addition to hindering weight loss. Please be careful of SUCRALOSE as it is also has those same side effects. Although it is marketed as "natural" because it is made from natural sugar-it's molecular structure has been altered and it is just as dangerous to your body as the artificial sweetners. Look for natural sweetners like stevia and even though the calories maybe a bit higher-the natural sugar has no affect on blood sugar levels and doesn't harm your body!

Your body needs some time to adjust. It's great that your exercising. Your body may even be still gassy. Just stick to what you are supposed to eat and your weight loss will follow. Who wants nutrition deficiencies!

The first week was horrible for me too. I felt weak and odd, not so much hungry but felt I was missing something. After that first week of clear liquids, the mushies really helped me feel stronger and clearer. Hang in there - I'm entering week 5 and feel so much better!

Don't be discouraged your first few times going back to your work-out. Today was the first time I felt back to my old self on the elliptical walker. I am almost up to my pre-surgery 45 minute workout. I finally feel as though my energy & stamina is coming back. Plus I am going to begin eating soft solids this Wednesday!

Allison, Are you still drinking your protein shakes? Perhaps you could try having a protein drink before you eat soup or mac&cheese as neither of these foods have much protein. If you eat protein first, you are likely to feel more satisfied.

I'm trying to get motivated. I used to excerise 5x's a week step aerobics until I began to get really heavy. I am doing the eliptical walker now but not as consistently as I need to (only 2x's last week). I'm trying to work my way up to 45 minutes so that I can go back to the step aerobics class. Doing the machines is boring so it's great you are taking a class!

Are you sure it is hunger you are feeling? When I was in the liquid only phase I felt very weak and was detoxing from foods. I have stopped eating all things with artificial sweetners (aspertame, slenda, sucralose) because not only are they not good for you, but they can cause you to feel hungry & headachey. This was the most difficult part of the banding experience for me. Just try to remember that having liquids only is for healing. You want to make sure you are doing the right thing for your body. Perhaps you should contact your doctor for advise on the protein.

I am trying to figure out how I feel. I don't really feel hunger, but I am much more aware of people eating and the smells of food. When I smell the food I want to eat it (I'm still eating mushy) but I am able to stop myself. I guess that means I am feeling restriction. I have an appointment for a possible fill on 7/2/08.

I am 2 weeks out of being banded. I continually have bad breath. I brush, floss & mouthwash but fairly soon after-wow. I wonder if it's the protein drinks. I know we are not supposed to chew gum. Any suggestions?

I drink water & sometimes flavor it with lemon or orange. I loved soda water but can no longer drink it. I do drink a small amount of coffee w/ skim milk. Herbal teas are good too- you can make them iced tea.

Avoiding artificial sweetners is good advice. I wish my nutritionist was more alert to that fact. Aspartame, Splenda and other artificial ingredients including Sucralose have many dangerous side effects, are toxic to the body and at the very least not conducive to losing weight. Finding a protein drink that is tolerable is very difficult without these ingredients. using small amounts of natural sweetners such as stevia, cane sugar or maple syrup. A good book to start with learning about sugars and their effect on your body is "Skinny Bitch" by Rory Freedman & Kim Barnouin. If you can get through the gimmicky writing style, there's lot's of good info.

This is my first May 2008 post-I was banded 5/21/08. My port area started feeling "strange" yesterday - a pulling feeling & uncomfortable. I am waiting to talk to the surgeon as I have a follow-up 5/29 with him. I hope my port & band have stayed put. I'm thinking maybe I'm feeling it more because I'm not so swollen.

I was just banded wed. 5/21/08 & feel the same way. I feel I have little energy & am not satisfied with the liquids. I just keep reminding myself that this part of the band experience is really for the healing. I must remain on this diet and the next few weeks in order to heal properly. From what I've learned-the band will help out in the future when you have received enough fill for restriction/and satisfaction. It did help to get outside today even though I felt tired. Moving around helps!